TUESDAY,APRIL 3, 2018 Inside: 75¢ Trump calls for border legislation. — Page 4B Vol. 90 ◆ No. 2 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com FUN IN THE SUN One dead in weekend crash ❏ Portales man charged with homicide by vehicle in incident. By Eamon Scarbrough about 5:25 a.m. Saturday STAFF WRITER and found a white pickup [email protected] truck on its driver’s side facing west. “The truck PORTALES — The sus- pect in a fatal crash possi- was in the middle of the bly caused by alcohol on road,” the report said. Saturday told police he was Saldana-Pinales’ vehicle returning home from lay in the field north of the watching a movie at 4:30 highway, according to the a.m., officials said. affidavit. Ricardo Navarrete, 31, of The officer stated that Portales, was arrested Navarrete had “a strong Saturday morning after police say his vehicle odor of an alcoholic bever- struck another car from age emitting from his behind, killing the driver. breath and body,” as well Jose Saldana-Pinales, 41, as “blood shot watery of Portales, was ejected eyes.” from his vehicle after it Navarrete was transport- was rear-ended by ed to the NMSP office in Navarrete’s truck, accord- Clovis, where he consented ing to a press release by the to a breath test. The alco- New Mexico State Police. Saldana-Pinales died at the hol level on Navarrete’s scene. breath was .14, according Efforts to reach Saldana- to the affidavit. Pinales family members Navarrete was charged were not immediately suc- with homicide by vehicle cessful. related to DUI and trans- The crash happened near ported to Roosevelt County the old Greyhound Stadium Detention Center. football field off of U.S. 70. He is being held without According to Navarrete’s bond, according to RCDC arrest affidavit, an NMSP Administrator Justin officer arrived at the scene Porter. City officials to set goal for conservation ❏ Portales public works director hopes to save 40 million gallons of water. BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS said. The 40 million gallon Staff photo: Tony Bullocks PORTALES — City offi- goal is itself a small step Noel Quintana, 1, left, of Clovis and his nephew Edgar Quintana, 1, of Hereford, enjoy some family playtime cials encourage residents to toward a larger objective, Monday afternoon at Hillcrest Park. The pair was taking advantage of a breezy, but 80-degree day. conserve water every year, according to DeSha. Forecasters expect temperatures to cool today, with highs in the low 60s. but this time they’re keep- “If we can reduce it by ing score. 40 million gallons this year Portales Public Works and reduce it by 40 million Director John DeSha said each year he presents the gallons next year, that’s 80 Storm spotters keep eyes on the skies City Council with a resolu- million gallons that we’ve tion encouraging residents saved,” he said. “We keep ❏ Training class tonight storms, flash flooding, how to recog- Guyer, but those numbers may still to conserve water, com- doing this and before long, nize down-burst winds, spot tornados include participants who have left the plete with information on we’re making some real in- area or otherwise become inactive. at the Clovis library. and measure hail size,” said NWS recommended watering roads.” Meteorologist Brian Guyer. Still, many of the skills are transfer- schedules and other tips to Also at tonight’s meeting The class will end with a quiz and able from one region or state to anoth- By David Grieder keep water use low. at 6:30 p.m. in the STAFF WRITER the newly credentialed volunteers will er. be given contact information to the “The information that the spotters What sets the resolution Memorial Building: [email protected] ■ state’s main NWS office, to which provide the National Weather Service being introduced at Appointments of coun- CLOVIS — Head in the clouds? they will report essential weather is really critical information because a tonight’s City Council cilors to committees by Dreaming of dew? Riding on the information when conditions in east- lot of times we don’t have an observa- meeting apart is a specific Mayor Ron Jackson. storm? If so, the National Weather ern New Mexico demand it. tion in an area where there is a severe conservation goal: 40 mil- ■ Discussion and action Service might have just the volunteer “So they’re basically giving the thunderstorm,” Guyer said, noting the lion gallons, or 4 percent on potential changes to the less than a year ago. position for you. right names of the clouds, right names information can help forecasters make city’s 2018-2019 applica- “If you just cut your Tonight an NWS meteorologist of the features and other information,” better predictions about developing tion to the New Mexico from Albuquerque will lead a water use by 4 percent, said State Climatologist Dave weather events and also can help to Clean and Beautiful “Skywarn Spotter Training Class” DuBois. “And that goes directly to corroborate radar data. that’s not a lot, but it builds up,” DeSha said. Program. from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Clovis- NWS to help them be the eyes, ears In tandem with the Skywarn is a ■ Carver Public Library, part of an and sometimes even the nose of similar training for volunteers with the “That can be as little as Consideration of a annual push for volunteers in advance (meteorologists) on the ground.” state’s “Community Collaborative turning the water off when request to remove uncol- of the spring severe weather season. There are almost 100 such trained Rain Hail & Snow Network,” typical- you brush your teeth or not lectible accounts from The training covers “basics about volunteers on file in Curry County and waiting for the water to ambulance billing accounts severe weather including thunder about 50 in Roosevelt County, said CLASS on Page 4A cool off or heat up,” he receivable. Forecast: Today Wednesday Thursday Index Calendars..........................2A Puzzles..............................6A Reach us at: High: 61 High: 66 High: 81 Classified ..........................6B Markets ............................2A (575) 763-3431 Comics ..............................5B Obituaries..........................3A Low: 31 Low: 46 Low: 47 Voices................................4A Sports ............................1-3B PAGE 2A ✦ TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS Curry to mull conservation committee Events calendar BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS ■ The commission will hear presen- services for the Curry County Today Features garden and lifestyle prod- tations from HB Construction and the Courthouse. ■ Skywarn Spotter Training ucts along with demonstrations and CLOVIS — Water will dominate the United States Department of Both items were on the agenda at a Class — 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the educational sessions. Admission is agenda at today's Curry County Agriculture Animal and Plant Health previous meeting but the commission North Annex of the Clovis-Carver $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 5 Commission meeting. Inspection Services. voted to table until a future meeting in Public Library. The Albuquerque to 12, and free for children under 5. A proclamation will be read declaring ■ The commission will vote on the order to do further research. National Weather Service will train Information: 575-762-4342 second amendment to a contract with ■ The commission will select the volunteer weather spotters for the April to be water conservation month. Community Collaborative Rain, Sunday In line with that proclamation, the com- Trane to upgrade the heating equipment 2019 Community Development Block ■ at the Curry County Courthouse. Pyle Grant project application. Hail and Snow Network. New Mexico Mission of mission will explore establishing a ■ Information: 575-769-7840 Mercy Remote Area Medical water conservation committee. said if approved the 15-month project The commission will vote on a pair would likely begin in April and would of contract offers for country concerts Clinic — 6 a.m. at Curry County Curry County Manager Lance Pyle Wednesday Events Center. Free dental, med- cost $3,197,422.47. at the Curry County Events Center, one ■ said he envisions a water conservation ■ Quay County Weed ical and vision care services will be committee made up of two commis- The commission will vote on 19 in September and one in October. Management Workshop — 8 a.m. provided. Information: 865-579- value engineering items related to the ■ The commission will vote on a res- sioners and members of the public, to noon at the Tucumcari 1530 detention center renovation project. olution setting a clothing allowance for though it will be up to the commission Convention Center, 1500 W. Route ■ Clovis Home, Garden and Pyle said if all 19 cost-saving measures certain county employees. Lifestyle Show — to decide whether or not to establish a ■ 66, Tucumcari. The free program 11 a.m. to 5 are approved, the project cost would Included on the consent agenda, will include workshops on weed p.m. at Clovis Civic Center. committee and what it would look like. decrease by $607,283.57. reserved for items designated as routine The commission will also hear a management in alfalfa and Features garden and lifestyle prod- ■ The committee will hear several and not expected to spark debate among sorghum. Attendees must RSVP ucts along with demonstrations and presentation on water conservation presentations as it begins its budget the commission, is a memorandum of before March 30. Information: 575- educational sessions. Admission is from Chris Bryant, a Clovis city com- hearings for the fiscal year 2019 budg- understanding between Clovis 461-0562 $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 5 missioner and member of the Water et, which begins July 1.